COLD LAKE – Under a hot summer sun, Cold Lake First Nations kicked off its annual Treaty Days celebration on July 11 with powerful reflections, cultural pride, and emotional calls for unity, remembrance, and action.
The day began at 7 a.m. with a traditional pipe ceremony, followed by breakfast and the formal opening ceremonies at 10 a.m., where a packed gathering stood beneath the community’s big top on the English Bay Treaty Grounds.
The crowd was welcomed with an opening drum song, prayer, and meaningful addresses from local leadership and honoured guests.
“For this lake - and it means Big Fish Lake - I would like to thank the young people that got this big top cleaned off really good, real quick, and all the other people that are working on the sides, the sound people, the people from administration office,” said Lynda Minoose, Language and Culture Director for Cold Lake First Nations.
Emotionally, Minoose added, “I'm feeling really, really happy. And I'm just feeling so thankful that it’s going bring tears to my eyes.”
She spoke with pride about the community’s dancers and leaders, including the newly elected and re-elected Chief and council, who were seated in front of the stage for the remainder of the ceremonies.
Elder Adelard Blackman of the Dene Nation delivered a heartfelt message that touched on mourning, remembrance, and intergenerational trauma.
“I want to express my condolences to everyone that's been affected,” he said, also calling attention to the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, boys, and men.
He reflected on the painful legacy of residential schools, noting, “Most of the people that helped out in putting it all together at that time are no longer with us.” referring to the community members who helped organize that first event, clearing the grounds, setting up the area, and doing all the work needed to bring Treaty Days to life.
Blackman also shared some historical context, stating, “Fifty years ago, a whole bunch of us cleared out this whole area and we had our first Treaty Days here.”
Re-elected Chief Kelsey Jacko offered strong words of appreciation and advocacy, noting, “I just want to give thanks to my uncle who lifted the pipe this morning. I want to thank the Creator for another day.”
He stated the importance of remembering the elders and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting treaty rights.
“We have many relationships to build, and we'll keep working to make them strong. I'll be going to Ottawa this week after Treaty Days to fight for our children.”
Jacko also raised concerns about environmental impacts and infrastructure issues, saying, “Everybody thinks about economics, but yet the environment is still suffering . . . I've been after Alberta to pave our roads . . . It's dusty with what resources leave our territory. All our roads should be paved, and all my people should have houses no matter where they're at.”
MLA for Edmonton-Rutherford Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse brought greetings on behalf of Alberta’s New Democratic Party and the provincial government, saying, “I want to congratulate Chief Jacko and all of the council for being extraordinary leaders.”
She recognized the importance of having leadership from Indigenous women and pledged her continued support.
Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland also spoke at the event, reflecting on the importance of the treaty relationship and continued collaboration between the City and the neighbouring First Nation.
“Cold Lake First Nations and City of Cold Lake residents, we're all intertwined . . . We want to pass our community to the next council going forward in a better place.”
He praised the strong leadership of the newly elected council and Chief Jacko, saying, “It’s quite an interesting process . . . They have a pretty lively council and chief.”
Friday’s celebration continued throughout the afternoon with a community barbecue, annuity payments, cultural games, family pictures, and a youth talent show. In the evening, families gathered for a kid’s karaoke contest, followed by a live performance by Kyle Desjarlais and a movie under the stars.
Treaty Days festivities continued until July 13, with artisan crafts, sports, a hand games tournament, bannock and tea, and much more taking place. The event was set to wrap up with cardboard canoe races on Sunday afternoon.
